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The Official Michigan Winter Thread

490K views 8K replies 153 participants last post by  sabatoa 
#1 ·
Alright everyone since Summer is over, fall has just begun and we've already had our first rail jam of the year, it's time to start a new thread for the 10/11 winter.

Last year we had the "Southeast" michigan thread, but I think we should do all of Michigan. Sure, most of population lives in S/E michigan but we all ride the same resorts in the LP and even the UP if we get a chance, so we should have one thread to bring everyone together.

Cheers everyone we're probably only like 70 days from open resorts!
 
#2,164 ·
What's Brule like when it's full open & runnin' legit? Their trail map doesn't have it looking much bigger than PK or Holly. Hard to tell fur sure.
 
#2,165 ·
I've never been north of Boyne so I can't say.

I am headed to the UP in January though, not sure where the weather will take us but I will report back on any ski area we visit :)

Onthesnow.com says it's 150 acres compared to PK's 80 acres but it doesn't have much vert.

http://www.onthesnow.com/michigan/profile.html?startRow=0&numRows=20
 
#2,175 ·
FWIW here is the extended forecast for Grand Blanc (Mount Holly). Almost every night is cold enough to blow. Starting the 15th there is a good 8-day stretch of very low overnight temps as long as some of that rain either fails to materialize, or turns in to snow, instead, we might be in good shape.

They need 28F and low humidity to blow. But once they can start doing that, it's amazing how quickly they are capable of opening a few runs. Less than a week if conditions are good. I think last year they opened on like 4 or 5 days notice.
 

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#2,184 ·
God I hope Not!! The WC just gave a 2-3 in. forecast for the Boyne area & western UP. Hope that's just the start of it!
 
#2,187 ·
Yeah, I am too. I think something that's helped me is that we're planning a 4 night 5 day, 5 resort trip during Christmas break and it's kinda tiding me over a little.

Boyne Highlands
Nubs (or Highlands again)
Boyne Mountain
Shanty Creek
Crystal Mountain

Between December 26-30.

I think I have the wee one during thanksgiving weekend so I gave up on thinking about riding then.
 
#2,196 ·
"Best" for What??? Gotta let us kno what U R into,.. What's your skill level etc. Different folks will prefer different resorts for different reasons!

I'm a second season NooB, but I've been progressing fairly well. At least for "basic" riding, carving, switch riding etc. Not yet into park tricks or getting air. (...although gettin' air is one of my goals this season.)

Keeping that in mind,..
I really like the first three spots, in descending order of preference;
Boyne Highlands
Boyne Mnt.
Nub's

Crystal would be my fourth pick, and haven't been to the others,.. So...

Also,.. as a NooB. I've haven't yet ridden any really "EPIC" snow or resorts. (...another of my goals this season!!!) So if you are say an experienced rider,.. My picks may totally SUCK for you and what your looking for!

Give with a few more details, and the folks here will be happy to opinion the hell outta you!!! ;) :D :laugh: :cheeky4:
Skill level, I would say intermediate to advanced. We usually have a season pass at blue mountain. Some park but mostly downhill. I would like to try half pipe again, it's been about ten years. My husband loves glades runs. Also we're staying for a couple days so nightlife and resort are important too.
 
#2,197 ·
Skill level, I would say intermediate to advanced. We usually have a season pass at blue mountain. Some park but mostly downhill. I would like to try half pipe again, it's been about ten years. My husband loves glades runs. Also we're staying for a couple days so nightlife and resort are important too.
I think Highlands is the only resort that still builds a halfpipe. They have a small amount of gladed terrain, too.

Highlands is close to city of Petoskey and also basically across the street from Nub's. For the money, I'd stay in Petoskey where there should be enough casual dining and some night spots, and you can enjoy both Boyne Highlands and Nub's Nob. Boyne Mountain about 45 mins south, and not much going on in that vicinity outside of the small resort area (Gaylord 20 mins away is the nearest town, very affordable lodging there but not a lot of excitement).
 
#2,201 ·
I just finalized the booking of my rooms during that period. Not staying at the resorts but in the general area. December 25-30th.

Day1: Boyne Highlands
Stay in Petoskey

Day2: Nubs Knob
Stay in Petoskey

Day3: Boyne Highlands
Stay in Petoskey

Day4: Boyne Mountain
Stay in Traverse City

Day5: Shanty Creek
Stay in Traverse City

Day6: Crystal Mountain

Drive home and die.
 
#2,202 ·
Thanks for the advice, I'm thinking that highlands is the place for us. That map is great Sabatoa. And Chomps1211 I'm not that great in the park, just straight airs and 50 50 rails. It's all that I really have to challenge me around here. I'd like to try spins this year but I've been saying that and I always chicken out. Thanks again:)
 
#2,203 ·
...And Chomps1211 I'm not that great in the park, just straight airs and 50 50 rails. It's all that I really have to challenge me around here.

...Thanks again:)
My Father was "1211"!!! You can call me Chomps! ;) :D
You're Welcome!
 
#2,204 ·
I understand Seven Springs in Pennsylvania has some serious parks, including, I believe two halfpipes. Depending on where you're coming from in Michigan, it's doable as a (long) weekend. Be warned, though, the place can get crazy crowded on weekends. There's also a big party scene. (I've never seen so many drunks on the mountain as I have a Seven Springs.)

Does Alpine Valley in the Detroit suburbs still do a pipe? I haven't been to Alpine Valley for a few years.
 
#2,205 ·
Does Alpine Valley in the Detroit suburbs still do a pipe? I haven't been to Alpine Valley for a few years.
Yes, they build a mini pretty much every year. I think it might have like 8ft walls and maybe 150ft long or so. You're not gonna learn double-corks on that but it would be a good place to practice if you wanted to start learning how to ride vert.
 
#2,206 ·
Thanks, I might check it out. I have been in the pipe a handful of times, but not recently. I took a park/pipe lesson about 7-8 years ago. Then later that season on a trip to Lake Tahoe, on the first or second day of the trip, I was feeling confident and went into a big pipe and twisted up my back, which caused me problems for the rest of the trip. So now I'm super cautious about going in again. I've also been in a special kids mini-pipe, which I found impossible to actually do anything in. (Crested Butte -- the choices were kids' pipe with maybe 5-6-foot walls vs. super pipe with 22-foot walls)

Does Nubs Nob still do a pipe? I know I rode one there a few times when it was over on that separate spot with the rope tow, which is now set up for racing. But then they moved it. Last season I don't remember seeing one, but I think it was early in the season when I was there.
 
#2,211 ·
I didn't care for Caberfe when I went. But that was spring of '11 a few weeks after my first lesson. Crappy snow, still super wobbly on the board, and really limited as to what runs I would risk.

I may have to check it out now that I can ride a blue or black without screamin' like a little girl!! (...I still do but now it's with Joy, instead of Terror!) :D

Maybe I'll get sick one fri. soon and head up there. (I'll b working fri. after TG so not an option next weekend.)
 
#2,213 · (Edited)
I think Cab is under-rated.

"Shelter", that green that unloads right at the lodge, that run sucks. It was pitted as hell last season and their "park" right there is atrocious but once you get on the other runs you can have a lot of fun, especially if you're comfortable riding narrower cat-tracks.

They build a little kicker (I'm bad with sizes but I'll include a pic below) that is perfect for people just getting into real jumps and decent air.

They have a ton of terrain between the two peaks so I never feel bored there and you can't beat their prices, even better than the shitty hills down here.

My only complaint I guess is that there's basically no park and the narrow'ish main runs get crowded like whoa at trail merges/crossings on the weekends.

The jump referenced above;
 
#2,214 ·
Since I'm spamming the board today...

Hawk Island Snowpark just dished out the most information about this upcoming season than they have since ever.



They're currently offering early bird pricing on season passes, $85 (note, there's a separate fee to enter the county park. $3/day or $30/year) on the website.

The website is a hot mess right now but it just went live and they're updating it pretty often, adding more information. Personally I would have finished the site first before going live but I think they really want to show progress and rushed the site out there to get people going.

Looking at this map, I'm going to buy a pass. This place will be perfect for park progression and getting a lot of laps in.
 
#2,217 ·
Okay so I've been telling myself that despite this warm weather I wasn't going to freak out and track the weather. I figured by December 1 there would be a place open, especially since the Cab has been really trying to get the snow out there.

...against my better judgement I started looking at the long term forcasts and it ain't looking good. Now I have a sad. Especially because I have the next two weekends free but not the weekend of December 8-9, which is probably when some place actually *will* be open.

:(
 
#2,219 ·
...against my better judgement I started looking at the long term forcasts and it ain't looking good. Now I have a sad. Especially because I have the next two weekends free but not the weekend of December 8-9, which is probably when some place actually *will* be open.

:(
I KNOW DUDE!!! Took a vacation day to get a long weekend b4 my birthday 1 st week of Dec. (Bday is Dec 11th,.. 1211,.. Get it?) Last year Boyne JUST opened in time. Startin' to look like they wont even get that this year!!!! SHIT!!!!

I NEED TO EXPERIENCE SOME DEEEP SHIT!!!!!

If I'm stuck ridin' nothing but shitty man made ice @ pine knob for another whole season,... I'm gonna go BALLISTIC!!!!! :mad::mad::mad:
 
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